Phenotypic and genotypic characterization of rhizobial bacteria from some wild legume species showing natural distribution in Gaziantep

The phenotypic and genotypic diversity of rhizobial bacteria nodulating Cicer pinnatifidum, Lens culinaris subsp. orientalis and Pisum sativum subsp. from the grain legumes and Lathyrus subsp. and Vicia subsp. from the herb legumes was determined in our study area in the location of the wild ancestors and in the investigaiton of the possible gene center. PCA analyses of rhizobial isolates, which were determined to be highly resistant to stress conditions, showed that especially pH and salt concentrations had an important effect on these bacteria. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA determined that these wild species were nodulated by at least 8 groups including Rhizobium and non-Rhizobium. The largest group comprised of Rhizobium leguminosarum and Rhizobium sp. while R. pusense, which was previously determined as non-symbiotic species, was found to nodulate C. pinnatifidum and L. culinaris subsp. orientalis. In recent studies, Klebsiella sp., which is stated to be able to nodulate different species, strong evidences have been obtained in present study exhibiting that Klebsiella sp. can nodulate C. pinnatifidum and Pseudomonas sp. was able to nodulate C. pinnatifidum, P. sativum subsp. and Lathyrus subsp. In addition to these species, Burholderia sp., Serratia sp. and Phyllobacterium sp. related isolates have also been identified.